Her Story
About MaryBeth
MaryBeth Cregger is an experienced respiratory care educator and academic leader based in East Peoria, Illinois. She serves as Program Director in the Respiratory Therapy program at Illinois Central College, where she also maintains a full teaching load and actively contributes to both classroom instruction and clinical education. Her work spans didactic teaching, clinical supervision at Methodist Medical Center, and student mentorship within health careers education, reflecting a long-standing commitment to developing skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.
MaryBeth’s career in respiratory therapy began as a second career following time dedicated to raising her four children. After completing her initial training in respiratory care, she worked as a practicing respiratory therapist in a hospital setting, where she developed a strong clinical foundation. Encouraged by mentorship early in her career, she transitioned into education, first serving as a clinical instructor before advancing into classroom teaching and academic leadership roles. She later earned a master’s degree in Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching and completed a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education and Adult Learning in 2023 from Walden University.
Throughout her academic and professional journey, MaryBeth has remained focused on strengthening respiratory care education through curriculum development, student-centered instruction, and program leadership. She is an active member and representative within professional organizations such as the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and Lambda Beta, contributing to the advancement of the field at both state and national levels. Guided by values of integrity, empathy, compassion, and professionalism, she is dedicated to fostering a supportive and accountable learning environment where students can grow into confident healthcare practitioners.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with MaryBeth
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to discovering my passion and aligning my career with it. I genuinely enjoy the work I do, to the point that it never feels like work. I believe my journey has unfolded exactly as it was meant to, guiding me toward opportunities that align with my purpose and strengths.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stay true to myself and not sweat the small things. I remind myself that I don’t need to have everything figured out at once—being one day ahead and trusting my abilities is enough.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make sure you want to help people. This field will show you life and death situations, but it is rewarding. You will find that you can do hard things.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include balancing work and family, time management, and dealing with life and death situations especially for young students. Unlimited opportunities for a lifelong career with growth from patient care to education to administration.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, honesty, empathy, compassion, and professionalism. I strive to consistently uphold these principles in how I engage with others, make decisions, and carry out my responsibilities.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.